For those that own or have ridden in an M. Toulouse saddle, are you happy with it? Are they comfortable? I am looking second hand as I am on a budget but they look comfortable and are in my budget used. Thanks in advance!
I rode in one once in a riding school and was not impressed, I would keep looking.
I used to own one years ago (the genesis model I believe). Do NOT waste your money on an M.Toulouse saddle! It put me into a chair seat and fit my horse terribly. Plus, the quality of the saddle was absolute crap - it was falling apart after a few months of use and had horrible rub marks on the flaps after one ride. The saddle fitter I had out said it was the worst saddle fit-wise on the market, and there is no way to make it fit either as it has foam panels.
I honestly have nothing good to say about the saddle.
Several riders at my barn have these and love them. That said, like any saddle, it’s shape must fit you and your horse. Some people have had the issue of being in a chair seat, but I’ve seen this with other brands as well. If you try a saddle that puts you in a chair seat, keep looking. For the price, these saddles work very well. I rode in one for 2 years until I could afford my dream saddle. Another rider at our barn bought my used and well-cared for Toulouse Annice. They’re still using and showing in it 2+ years later and it looks great and fits her and her horse well!
Everyone I know who tried them hated them. All ended up with sore horse backs and they put the riders in chair seats. Keep looking.
Do not waste your money! A used pessoa or collegiate would be much better. The toulouse saddles can be comfy to the human but are awful on horses backs and tend to restrict their movement
I am going to keep looking, thank you everyone for your advice!
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I hated mine, I could never find my balance and it put me in a weird position, agree with the suggestion of an older pessoa
wow. i like mine. after going through 3 saddles for my older mare, my vet (who is highly recommended/regarded), suggested I look at a Toulouse because it has the adjustable gullet because my mare was always so back sore from poor saddle fit. it’s been working for us ever since, and I’ve changed the gullet several times since the muscling in her back has changed. can’t do that with a regular saddle.
works for us.
I had one with the “rotate to fit” RTF tree. The saddle was ok for the price but the tree with the RTF made the pommel/twist just too wide for me to sit comfortable. That being said, I have friends that ride in them and like them and have had no issues. Saddles are a very personal thing for you and your horse. Test ride in as many as you can to find what fits you and your horse the best.
I had an Annice and it was fine. I think mine was an older model and did not have an adjustable tree (I tried an adjustable once and the shape/way it worked was just really bizarre). It seemed to be holding up pretty well (I got it used already) and my horse never seemed bothered by it. I do ride with a fairly sizable half pad if that matters.
If you want to get pickier, the first time I sat in it I felt like I was sitting on top of a cardboard box. I got used to it pretty fast, but it never had that “coming home” feel you get throwing your leg over a really nice saddle. I never felt it did anything negative to my position and the flap actually fit my leg (I’m short and that never happens).
I wouldn’t buy one new but if you need an OK saddle for under $600 and find a used one and are able to trial it etc., then I wouldn’t write it off totally.
I had to ride in one, when showing a sale horse. Could not get my legs in the right position, no matter how I adjusted stirrup length. Uncomfortable!
